Trea Turner Not the Leadoff Hitter for Washington Anymore?

According to the Washington Post, the Nationals new manager Dave Martinez is planning on using Adam Eaton in the leadoff spot, instead of former NC State shortstop Trea Turner.

Martinez said if Eaton is healthy, he plans to make him a left fielder, which is no surprise given Michael A. Taylor’s emergence as a Gold Glove nominee in center. He also said he plans to hit Eaton in the leadoff spot, a more noteworthy declaration given the other leadoff option is Trea Turner, one of the fastest men in baseball.

Nationals General Manager Mike Rizzo always liked Eaton as a leadoff man, with Turner hitting behind him. Eaton led off most of the games he played for the Nationals before he tore his ACL, though Turner began the season in that role before suffering a hamstring injury of his own. Eaton has a .360 career on-base percentage in that spot — highest of any spot in the lineup. Turner is a .299 career hitter with a .343 on-base percentage in that spot. (WP)

I understand that Martinez finds Eaton’s on-base percentage appealing, but taking Turner out of the leadoff spot limits his ability to swipe bases. Eaton can steal bases, but he is no Turner. Period.

Turner is arguably the most effective base stealer in the majors.

Over the past three years, Turner has spent 678 of his at-bats in the leadoff spot, and 53 in the 2-hole.

Leadoff – .299 average, .343 on-base percentage, .481 slugging percentage, .824 OPS, 78 stolen bases
2-Hole – .434 average, .464 on-base percentage, .736 slugging percentage, 1.200 OPS, 0 stolen bases

It will be interesting to see if Martinez sticks to his way of thinking come the beginning of the season next year. Yes, Turner seems to hit well in the #2 spot, but he has stolen 0 stolen bases there. What is more valuable for Washington?